The Los Angeles Galaxy have reportedly denied the request of Aston Villa to extend Robbie Keane's loan. Aston Villa wanted the Galaxy striker to remain with the club until after their March 3 match with the Blackburn Rovers. Instead, Keane's loan will end after Aston Villa's match with Wigan Athletic on Feb. 25. Keane will still travel to Ireland to captain his national team against the Czech Republic in a friendly in Dublin on Feb. 29. Keane will rejoin our side ahead of the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal against Toronto FC on March 7.
I'm glad that the loan will not be extended. The Galaxy are going to be very deep on offense this season but I'd still like all of the star forwards and midfielders to get all the rest they can as the Galaxy try to defend their MLS Cup title in 2012. The back line will not be as stout this season so having as much offense as possible will be key in a title run.
After initially saying he needed to rest during the offseason, Keane said he needed to go on loan to stay in shape. After four starts with Aston Villa, Keane's scored three times. If the goal was to get into match form before the Champions League, I think Keane's accomplished what he set out to do and more. It's not that Keane has scored goals on loan against tough English Premier League competition so much as it is that he has scored the quality goals the Galaxy expected him to score when they signed him last season. As he was signed near the end of the 2011 season, was out injured and on national team duty, Galaxy fans only caught a glimpse of how good Keane could be in MLS.
I can't wait to see Keane paired with Edson Buddle up top this season for our side. It might take some time for chemistry to develop with Keane coming back so close to the season. By the end of the campaign, I hope to see Keane and Buddle in the Golden Boot race.
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Source:
Scott French, "Reports say L.A. nixes Keane extension", ESPN Los Angeles
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